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Original poster

Vietnam - Halong Bay

24 replies

Pingubugaloo · 23/04/2023 15:21

Hi, we're going to central Vietnam in summer and trying to decide if its worth the trip to Halong Bay to do a 2 day/1 night tour. Some people say its a must-do but all the photos I've seen it looks a bit grey and bleak! If you do recommend it - can you also suggest a tour operator? There are so many and I imagine some must be rip-off merchants! Thanks.....

OP posts:

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 23/04/2023 15:31

We did it in 2012 but it was really murky. I went for a nap and the guide didn't even tell me when we got close 😂. We saw it still though but it was grey and murky. The amazing cave was good though.

ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 23/04/2023 16:46

We did an overnight cruise. It was amazing, one of the highlights of the trip.

msisfine · 23/04/2023 16:56

When I went it was sooooo beautiful. Did one night, but would have liked to stay for another. Enjoy!

Lcb123 · 23/04/2023 17:00

We went, unfortunately it was a grey foggy day. I was pretty unimpressed TBH. I would just go to Hanoi if you’re in that area

Lcb123 · 23/04/2023 17:00

There’s also not much to do, just look at the islands

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 23/04/2023 17:08

Really beautiful we did an overnight on one of the boats!

Original poster

Pingubugaloo · 23/04/2023 17:27

thanks all! @msisfine can you remember which boat operator you used?

OP posts:

ItsCalledAConversation · 23/04/2023 17:28

It’s really beautiful whether it’s clear or not. Cat Ba island is also wonderful.

toomuchlikemyusername · 23/04/2023 17:50

We did a two night cruise with a company called La Regina Cruises. Beautiful boat, accommodation and food and comfortable transfers to and from Hanoi. Really enjoyed it, was in two minds as to if we would bother doing it, but glad we did.

MonkeysandParrots · 23/04/2023 19:35

We loved Halong Bay, did an overnight cruise in Jan ‘18. Our boat was called Aphrodite and I’d definitely recommend.

MidtoLon · 23/04/2023 20:47

We did 2 night cruise as part of Mercury Travel tour to Vietnam and Cambodia. Our boat was called Victory Star. Would definitely advise doing it. We went in October and weather was great. No mist or fog.

msisfine · 23/04/2023 21:17

@Pingubugaloo sorry, no, it's about 12 years ago! I was backpacking, so just arranged it through a hostel while I was in Hanoi.

StillWantingADog · 23/04/2023 21:19

a long time ago but it was lovely. However the town that we got the boat from, can’t recall the name, was very seedy as was the hotel. So I’d choose a hotel carefully.

Dreamer88 · 23/04/2023 21:38

I went August 2022. Weather was like this (see pic) for the time we were there. It’s amazing!

underneaththeash · 23/04/2023 22:11

Loved our Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise, but summer isn’t a good time to do it.

Original poster

Pingubugaloo · 25/04/2023 09:37

Thanks all! this is really useful. Now we're thinking about Ninh Binh as a possible alternative, that might be less weather dependent - anyone done that?!

OP posts:

toomuchlikemyusername · 28/04/2023 07:51

Hello. We only passed through Ninh Binh on our way to Tam Coc so can't comment on that specifically. However, Tam Coc was a great place to spend a few quieter days. We did a river trip (where the boats are rowed by women who use their feet to power the oars). Fabulous scenery, plenty of authentic food, cycle hire easy on the quiet, flat roads. Not full of hustle and bustle which was lovely. We got the train from Hanoi, which was a straightforward but interesting way to travel. Very warm (we went in August).

Also very glad we went to Halong Bay. It was part of our same visit so same time of the year. Weather was glorious, warm and sunny albeit a bit humid at times. We almost talked ourselves out of going to Halong Bay in the basis of it being too commercialised but I think the choice of boat made a big difference and made it very much worthwhile.
Didn't spend any time in the nearby town as did transfers to and from Hanoi so can't advise anything there.

(If you haven't already got the Water Puppet Theatre on your list for Hanoi this is worth checking out too).

Specialnameforanoutingthread · 28/04/2023 10:45

We wen to Vietnam in Jul/Aug and planned an overnight trip in Halong Bay but a typhoon came through on the wrong couple of days and all trips were cancelled. Our hotel arranged a day trip to Tam Coc for us instead and we had a good day on the river and riding bikes in the nearby area.

I would still go to Halong Bay if I had the choice.

Dinoswearunderpants · 28/04/2023 13:24

The water was vile, no way I'd swim there. Full of rubbish too. We did a kayak tour of the caves which was cool but honestly it wasn't that brilliant. You won't miss out if you don't do it.

PhuongMr · 21/05/2023 17:15

Halong bay is highlight of the North of Vietnam! Why not give it a try!
It's one of 7 Natural Wonder of the World my friend!

Boredwitholdname · 22/05/2023 04:21

If you’re going to Hanoi (which you should!) then I’d say a short Halong Bay cruise is worth doing. You can just book it at your hotel, they almost all have tour operators in them who are keen to make sales so you can decide which to take when you get there.

dinhoecotour · 15/07/2023 10:19

Pingubugaloo · 25/04/2023 09:37

Thanks all! this is really useful. Now we're thinking about Ninh Binh as a possible alternative, that might be less weather dependent - anyone done that?!

Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay is a worth while staying in North (Hanoi).
It will be better to do both Halong Bay and Ninh Binh; If you do not have time, a day trip to each place is still ok.

MoustacheTwirler · 15/07/2023 10:32

I would personally say it wasn't worth it. There are so many boats doing these tours and when we went it was grey and murky. Massively overpriced for what it was.

There are so many stunning and beautiful places to see in Vietnam that I would not waste my time and money on Halong Bay. If you are based centrally then Phong Nha is beautiful and has an interesting history. Hoi An is a must see.

If you are interested in limestone cliffs then somewhere like El Nido in the Philippines is absolutely stunning and nothing like the tourist trap of Halong Bay.

JenniferBarkley · 15/07/2023 10:37

It's over ten years ago now, but we did a two night cruise on a four bedroom boat with Indochina Junk - technically Bai Tu Long (sp?) Bay rather than Halong Bay and at that time much quieter.

Not just a highlight of that holiday but of all holidays.

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